HEALTH chiefs are planning to appeal over a council decision blocking plans to extend a mental health care site in Rossendale.

Lancashire Care NHS Trust wanted to build an add-on at its Balladen House site in Union Street in Rawtenstall and create an additional 60 space car park.

But the scheme was refused by Rossendale Borough Council earlier this week.

Today health bosses revealed the plan was to take the council to a planning appeal.

It comes after residents living close to the site, based in the grounds of Rossendale Hospital, sent a 70 signature petition and dozens of letters objecting to plans to extend the building and create a car park on greenbelt land.

Neighbours were also concerned about the impact the development would have on their homes and also feared for the safety of children living and going to school in the area.

Lancashire Care NHS Trust said the extension at the site would improve mental health provision in the Valley.

However councillors said health bosses were jumping the gun as they wanted to see the outcome of a consultation for future health care in East Lancashire before deciding to build a unit.

Longholme ward councillor June Forshaw added: "I really do think it's a case of putting the cart before the horse. The consultation for future health care is on-going. The application is pre-empting any decision they may make as to what provisions there will be and where sited."

A spokesman for Lancashire Care Trust today said: "We are obviously disappointed with the outcome because the plans were for a small extension onto the building to create more space for day care services. We have been in discussions with Rossendale Council about the decision and there is an appeals process we can go through which we are going to do.

"The opening of the centre will go ahead as normal. The new premises will be flexible allowing usage for all relevant agencies, it will facilitate out of hours working for the established community mental health teams.

"The plans support government guidance in relation to a model of recovery, social inclusion and making services more local, accessible and less restrictive.

"In addition the resource centre will provide a range of consultation suites for adult and older adult services and space for psychological therapy services."